To Storm Heaven - Esther Friesner [14]
“He did not wish to offend you. Now that courtesy has been served, you may take the beast away.” “What beast?” Troi asked.
“An improper one,” Worf maintained.
“Come with us and see for yourself.” Dr. Crusher’s eyes shone with barely concealed mischief.
In Lt. Worf’s quarters, Counsellor Troi brought her face close to the transparent wall of the cage. “Is that a tribble? I thought they were extinct.” she marvelled aloud.
“It’s not a tribble,” Dr. Crusher told her. “If it were awake and uncurled you could see its eyes, ears, and paws. It’s a hamster. Dr. P’tann of Vulcan presented a fascinating paper about them at the Ark conference.
They lived on Earth undiscovered in the wild until the mid twentieth century, when they first became widely used laboratory subjects, then popular pets. Of course there’s no longer any call for them in the laboratory, but if anything, their numbers have increased. Dr, P’tann used them as a prime example of how biological success often defies the rules of logic.” Troi tilted her head, trying to get a better look at the dozing creature. “But it’s adorable!” she exclaimed.
Lt. Worf snorted. “I am in complete agreement with the ‘Vulcan. There is no reason for Alexander to harbor this creature. It is small, it is easily damaged, it sleeps most of the time, and when it is awake it deals with its food in an unseemly manner.” “Hamsters stuff their food in their cheek pouches,” Dr. Crusher explained for Troi’s benefit. “I admit it can look frightening.” She looked at Worf meaningfully.
“It did not frighten me,” he said with more heat than necessary. “At the time, I was concerned that the creature would ingest too much and explode. In any case, that is irrelevant. The point is, my son will not learn anything to advance his training-as a warrior by tending such a weak and helpless animal. It will be a needless distraction from his studies. Please remove it.” “If you insist,” Dr. Crusher said. She picked up the cage. “And what will you tell Alexander when he comes home from school?” Lt. Worf wore the resolute air of every parent who has ever determined that he knows what is best for his offspring. “I will tell him the truth, that you took it away.” Dr. Crusher set the cage down again. “That’s it?
That’s all?” Lt. Worf looked surprised. “That is all there is to say about the matter.” “No, Lt. Worf, that is not all there is to say. Not unless you also intend to tell him that I took away his pet because you told me to do it. As a matter of fact, I won’t remove this hamster until Alexander comes home and knows what’s going on.” She took a stance that broadcast that the only way either she or the hamster was going to budge was if Worf himself laid hands on them.
The Klingon was not happy with this turn of events.
“I fail to see what will be gained by having my son present. I do not require his consent in this matter.” “Then you remove the hamster.” “Very well, I will.” Worf picked up the cage and started for the door.
“Where will you take it?” Counsellor Troi called after him.
“To sick bay,” Worf answered. “You heard for yourself, it was once a laboratory subject. It belongs in a laboratory.” Dr. Crusher stepped neatly into Worf’s path, blocking his way out the door. “Not in my lab,” she said.
“Not without Alexander’s permission.” “I told you, I do not require Alexander’s permission to—” “But I do and sickbay is my territory.” “Then I will take it elsewhere.” “And where might that be?” Dr. Crusher’s face hardened. Although she said nothing, her expression made it clear that she was thinking of Klingon cuisine and daring Lt. Worfto deny that he had been thinking the same thing.
Counsellor Troi automatically fell into the role of intermediary in an increasingly tense situation.
“Perhaps it would be best to wait until Alexander returns from school, Lt. Worf,” she suggested. “If your son will accept your decision as reasonably as you predict, there will be no harm in waiting.” “There is no need for waiting,” Worf insisted. “He is my son, and if I say that this animal is not a fit example